P-15 speedometer

[dale]

I remember way back when my friends had 1946-1948 Plymouths  they had I believe a colored disc in the speedometer display that started out green and gradually turned red after you got over about 55 mph..or so.. With the speed way up there the whole display was red.  Was this an original feature or an ad on.

[Young Ed]

Not really a disk but they do change color as you mentioned. Its an original feature. Dads 39 had a disk that was under the needle and a little plastic window in it that would show through to the color and change that way. The p15 ones have the 3 colors on the needle and the backlight for the speedometer hits the needle to change the light to each color.

[DonaldSmith]

Here'a a photo from  someone, showing the color-changing prism:

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

yeah..think of it...MOOD lighting way back before anyone got in the MOOD...

[Ron42Dodge]

In my 42 Dodge it was referred to as a safety-signal speedometer. Above 30 it would change to amber and above 50 it would go to red.

[dale]

Did they all have this feature or just the deluxe models.

[desoto1939]

my 39 Desoto has the little bubble on the speed dial arrow. Behind the needle there is the green, yellow red color that is glues to the speedmoter and just the movement of the arrow permits the color to show through the little buble.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[46Ply]

My Special DeLuxe P15 has it and I remember my Dad's 47 DeSoto had it too.  I think they are fairly common.

[fedoragent]

I adore mine.  Like they said, it's like a color mood wheel.

 

FG.